On the recordMay 11, 2016
Today I rise to highlight the crucial importance of addressing the heroin epidemic that is sweeping across this Nation. I have been holding a series of regional briefings in my home State of New Hampshire to hear firsthand from communities working to fight this crisis. I have heard from far too many families who have lost loved ones to this epidemic because no treatment options were available. In the fall of 2014, a high school French teacher in one of my towns who was beloved by her students died of an overdose, in part, because she could not get access to the treatment she needed. And my good friend, Kriss Blevens, lost her stepdaughter, Amber, to addiction when no treatment beds were available. This is simply unacceptable. We need to take action now to fight back against this epidemic and arm our communities with the resources to help individuals struggling to overcome the devastating pull of addiction. I am a cofounder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. We recently announced a package of 15 bills. I urge my fellow members to pass these bills this week. Let's help American families. ____________________
